FORMER Wales striker Gareth Taylor has revealed he was sold on the idea of joining Wrexham almost as soon as he was first contacted by Dragons boss Dean Saunders.

Released by Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season, 36-year-old Taylor turned down several other Football League clubs in favour of the challenge presented by Wrexham’s bid to climb out of the Blue Square Premier.

After training with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday, Taylor said: “I was excited by the prospect as soon as Dean first got in touch with me and even though I had other offers this was the one that most appealed to me.

“There is a challenge here and the lure of working with Dean. Having spoken to him on a couple of occasions I could see he had a real glint in his eye. He wants to come here and do well and get Wrexham back where they belong.

“Dean didn’t have to work too hard to get me to sign. The fact he is here was a big pull for me because I know what he is about, I have played with him in the past and I know he has really high aspirations.

“He was a top player who played at the highest level and he obviously wants to be the same as a manager.”

Capped on 12 ocasions for Wales, Taylor added: “Hopefully I can have the influence on the pitch that Dean is looking for. He wants a bit of experience and looking around today it’s quite a young squad, so sometimes you just need a couple of older heads.”